Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian National Authority, lashed out at the United States after the United Arab Emirates used its veto on a draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Abbas described US officials as Israel’s accomplices or partners in actions the Palestinian leadership labeled as genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes, not only in Gaza but in Israel as well. The West Bank and East Jerusalem featured prominently in his remarks.
He claimed that the current policy endangers global security and peace. This fiery stance marked a notable shift for a leader who has faced limited popularity among many Palestinians. Other government figures echoed the sentiment, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, who characterized the UN’s failure to approve the text as a shame and argued that it effectively grants Israel a carte blanche to massacre, destroy, and displace civilians.
Intensify attacks
On the ground, the Israeli Defense Forces pressed ahead with strikes in the Gaza Strip, intensifying bombing campaigns. The military spokesperson noted that Israeli forces conducted operations by land, sea, and air, hitting hundreds of targets. The latest operations marked the highest daily tally since a brief ceasefire had ended a few days earlier, drawing sharp international concern.
In the diplomatic arena, António Guterres faced strong criticism from Israel over his comments about Gaza. The UN secretary-general argued that no place within the strip could be considered safe, despite the guidance some authorities had provided to Palestinians. He warned that the UN’s main humanitarian agency was nearing a collapse under the strain of the crisis. Palestinian sources reported that the death toll since the onset of the latest fighting had risen into the thousands, with civilians bearing a heavy burden in the conflict and displacement continuing across affected communities. [Citation: UN statements and regional briefings]